What Does Genesis 21:25 Mean in the King James?
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The root beneath “violently taken away” names the deed as robbery, so the dispute concerns a seized source of life.
THE MEANING
A well’s water sustains life, and seizing it by force leaves a visible injustice. The matter is brought directly before Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ, Avimelekh, “my father is king”), placing the taking in the hearing of power.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The taking does not become rightful because powerful people commit it or benefit from it.
THE ROOT
גָּזְלוּ
gazelu
GROWS FROM
גזל
To rob, plunder, or seize by force.
“violently taken away” in this verse is gazelu. The verb carries the sense of robbery: the servants’ act is named as a forceful taking. That root makes the well’s seizure legible as an injustice, not only a conflict over possession.
ALSO GROWS
gazal: to rob or seize by force
גָּזַל
This verb form names the act at the center of the verse.
gezelah: robbery; property taken by force
גְּזֵלָה
The related noun names the taking as a recognizable kind of injustice.
וְהוֹכִיחַ
vehochiach
GROWS FROM
יכח
To decide, prove, or reprove a matter.
“reproved” in this verse is vehochiach. This root ranges from proving or deciding a matter to reproving someone. Abraham’s words bring the seizure into the open before the person whose servants carried it out.
ALSO GROWS
hokhiach: to prove, rebuke, or reprove
הוֹכִיחַ
This is the verb used for Abraham confronting Abimelech.
tokhechah: reproof or correction
תּוֹכֵחָה
The related noun shows reproof as a direct naming of what needs to be addressed.
THE PATTERN
Taking what sustains or belongs to another remains an accountable act, even when force protects the taking.
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.THE THREAD
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:The word translated “Rob” uses גזל (gazal, “to rob”), the same root as the servants’ taking of Abraham’s well. The shared root connects the seized water to a wider scriptural naming of forceful taking as an accountable injury.
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